good point... I'm going to key/west cozumel next March and if the epidemic continues to grow, I will want to just cancel the cruise and go on a different 4-nighter, event if it means repeating my 4-nighter to the Bahamas.
I'm worried about the same thing. We go to Cozumel and Progresso. If they decide to change locations won't it affect the length of the cruise? It really worries me
I am going to book my flghts next weekend to fly to FLL on March 20th, and my cruise is on the 22nd out of Miami. I'm staying with my mom for the 2 nights b4 the cruise.
But I am going to call AARP travel this week and see about first booking me on a cruise that fits into the same time frame - leaving on the 21st or 22nd - but that does not include any Mexico ports - and then cancelling my key west/cozumel cruise.
The warning was just issued today. Swine flu is a new recombination mutation strain of human, avian, and swine(pig family) influenza that can be passed from human to human. First case was reported in Mexico only a few weeks ago. It is killing adults who aren't elderly(although the usual infants and elderly can probably contract it as well). If you will be going to Mexico, expect the possibility of a port change. So far it has been found as far up as New York City, which definitely puts it on the edge of becoming a pandemic. There are no vaccines available as this is a new strain.
I just hope this isn't one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Brought on the back of a pig. J/K. I am not much of a believer in that but with all the attention on the 2012 predictions lately, you have to joke a bit.
We cruise to Cozumel June 29. I am concerned. Some of our group are flying into Tampa to meet us from Newark NJ. That recycled air is the worst! I plan on taking my airborne, bringing my little tiny air purifyer machine I wear around my neck at the hospital system I work in, washing my hands alot, using Lysol wipes and bringing some of those little hand sanitizers with me to and not touching anything I don't need to.
A bit OCD don't you think. I am careful but even I don't go that far. But then I am typically disease-proof too. Don't ask me how, but I only get sick once every 3 or 4 years.
Swine flu or not...I'm going and I'm having a good time. I can't imagine that Carnival would take on the liability if they thought there would be any trouble.
Out of curiosity, if they do divert, where would we go? I'm on a 4 day cruise.
I was in Cozumel on Thursday and there was no precautions, warnings etc. from the ship. Other than the standard don't drink the water. I'm still kicking and well past the 48 hour incubation period.
I, personally, would not alter any travel plans based on the status at this time.
Take care,
Mike
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I'm not concerned. We leave May 16th on the Liberty and I'm going to Cozumel and drinking my a** off like usual.
I've got a high immune system and I'm going to keep my hands clean like they've been saying.
I'm not worried about it. The media likes to blow things up big time...saying it's a WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC.
Hahaha...there's like 200 known cases of it out of the 6 billion people in the world? I wouldn't exactly call that a pandemic.
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I was just reading the local news, here in Canada, and due to the fact that we now have SIX cases of the swine flu, several countries are issuing travel warnings against coming to Canada. Really six people in how many million, what kind of a real issue is this at this point. When you have four of these cases with the same small school group and two others on the opposite side of the country. Seems like over reaction to me. I hope the cruiselines don't act as hastily as the media and some govt's but time alone will tell. I personally would be too chicken to go to Mexico at this time but I'm sure that those of you with stronger personalities and less bad luck will have an awesome time
I'm getting a bit worried about the swine flu because eleven of us are cruising on Imagination from June 1 - June 8. Of the group, 4 are teens, 2 are in their twenties, and the other five are over the age of forty.
We live in the mid-west, and at this time there's no knowledge of confirmed cases here, but there are now confirmations of at least 40 in the US and over 1,000 more cases that they've suspected to be the swine flu.
I worry that when we sail one or more of these things will happen;
1) Our boat wont enter into Mexico (part of our trip) .....or
2) The boat will take us to a different port of call that does not have confirmed cases of swine flu... BUT will they let Americans off the ship to sight-see since the disease is in our country now?... or
3) that Cruise ships may be shut down for a time period if the flu outbreak is severe at that time, due to the concerns of having 2,000 plus people on a ship; a great breeding ground for the disease.
Oh well, guess we'll take it one day at a time and get some flu scripts from our docs to take for worst case scenero. and some masks for our face also!!
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If the ship does divert the only possibilities are Grand Cayman, Jamaica, or the Bahamas. I would bet on Grand Cayman since that is a normal stop off for most ships.
If you can, I would suggest getting a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza from your doctor and filling it to take with you. Those are the only two med's that work on this kind of flu. Years ago, I was going on Alaskan cruise and there was a huge outbreak of Alaskan flu. I took a filled rx with me, came down sick the last day of the cruise. Was so sick I was truly worried about being able to get home the next day. Started the med asap (which is needed or it won't work) and was significantly better the next day.
Re. the cruise lines rerouting, if they do, they are most likely to go to a less popular port, like the Bahamas, since not as many ships will already be there. I doubt they would got to Caymans, since it is overrun with ships already and very expensive. But, there is absolutely no way to know what is going to happen.
Marty
I'm thinking I may get a deal on a Mexican Rivieria cruise. Swine Flu was discovered in Mexico City. Mexico City isn't near Cozumel or Progresso or any other Carribean side stop. I think the part of the issue is media scare tactics. Here is a map of mexico.
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MY TA was being interviewed by our local news channel today regarding this and asked to tape her while she talked to a client on the telephone. I just happened to be the client on the other line.
She said that Carnival would probably be releasing something later today on whether or not they are going to make any itinerary changes. She also said that, so far, they had not and that since it was Mexico City, the Cozumel, Progreso area would not be affected right now.
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Cool map, it takes a while to download. That map shows what I was saying the Carrbean side has not been affect by this flu. Cozumel, Progresso, and Cancun are all good to go. You have more of a chance catching it in San Diego California. Don't let the media ruin your vacation. If you are that concerned do as Colorcrazie suggests and get a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza and go have a good time. Life if to short to worry about these things.
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Swine flu
lol
and some masks for our face also!!
Swine Flu was discovered in Mexico City. Mexico City isn't near Cozumel or Progresso or any other Carribean side stop. I think the part of the issue is media scare tactics. Here is a map of mexico.
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